BP: If You Build It

If You Build It is a movie based in Bertie County, North Carolina. The school district in this area was really struggling so designers Emily and Matt decide to do something about it.

Young kids were struggling in and out of the classroom so Emily and Matt wanted to provide a different kind of classroom for students. They worked hard to open up Studio H, an art studio. At Studio H, high schoolers can experience more hands on art. Not only will they be doing art projects, but they will be learning how to problem solve, use their imagination and keep their minds sharp. According to Emily, Studio H will further these kids education in a not-so-typical way.

The kids completed outstanding projects like creating corn hole boards, chicken coops, built a Farmer's market for the community and helped fix up a house for a family. "Studio H is teaching us to look outside the box," says one of the Studio H students. These kids began to see a bigger picture outside of what they were creating. They were able to come together and bring forth a true sense of community.

Design can be used as a form of advocacy in Bertie County because it allowed the students to transform this rundown community in an attempt to help it thrive. Design is what brought these students together. Design also taught these kids a lifelong lesson and, in ways, turned their lives around.

This movie is a great example of how design advocacy can be successful. Design advocacy is successful when people are motivated to use design to help others and appreciate what is being created around them.

Designers 11 & 12

Rebekah Radtke

Growing up Rebekah was dying to be a designer so when she came to UK, for her undergraduate degree, a design major was a no brainer for her. Rebekah then got her masters in architecture, where she worked in Brazil and went to the Art Institute of Chicago. 

Now, Rebekah is an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky in the school of interiors as well as an interior designer. She loves interior design because she believes people spend the majority of their time indoors so the inside of places should look great! She also likes interior design because it is experimental and collaborative. As an interior designer, she is an advocate for people. 

When asked what the future of design holds, Rebekah believes that generations of designers and people who are not designers will understand design and appreciate it more.

Anne Filson

Anne is a professor in the school of architecture and is a practicing architect. For her undergraduate degree she was an art history major. Anne then got her masters of architecture at a school in New York. She was interested in Dutch architecture early on and worked under a Dutch architect. She then worked for IIT's campus in Chicago. Anne is currently a professor in the school of architecture at the University of Kentucky.

"No design is bad design," said Filson. 

She ended her speech by talking about her AtFAB project she is doing. She believes this is the future of design for herself. AtFAB produces thoughtfully designed, precisely made, heirloom objects, which can be fabricated with digital tools and delivered directly to individuals with the aid of distributed manufacturing networks.

Design Autobiography

Throughout this Design 100 course, I have really taken the time to stand back and notice design in all forms. On a daily basis, we are surrounded by thousands of different designs. After learning about design in the course, I am able to better identify well designed artifacts and poorly designed artifacts. 

The world is filled with millions of different artifacts all designed in specific ways. From the time I was born until now, I have come across many artifacts. Some have left more of an impact than others. Why is that? The artifacts that have left the biggest impact on me have, in some ways, shaped my personality.

Each of these 2o artifacts can describe me in different ways. Within the last 21 years, these artifacts have come into my life creating a memory or have helped mold me into the person I am today.

A polka dot dress, a shopping bag and shoes clearly state that I am the worlds biggest girly girl. There is nothing I love more than to shop. Whether it's home decorating or buying new outfits, I love to be a stylist. Anyone that knows me is well aware that I consider myself a professional shopper! Design is what sells a polka dot dress and a great pair of shoes. The craftsmanship is key and this is a great example of design at its best. A great place to see this designed merchandise at its best is at Figleaf Boutique. I work at Figleaf and I'm there at least 3 hours a day so it has felt like a second home to me for 3 years. I have learned how to run a small business and receive/buy merchandise from vendors. There is nothing I love more seeing the designs I have chosen to buy catch customers eyes. Design is everywhere in retail, even in the shopping bag logos. 

A cosmopolitan, a cup of coffee, a notebook & pen, the 'Friends' series, a dog leash, a key, makeup, a mirror and money all portray how I live my day to day life (as of right now). I have come to learn that there is nothing I enjoy more than grabbing drinks with my girls (coffee or cosmos). We get a chance to break away from our crazy schedules, sit in a nice restaurant and just talk about ourselves. Although I am young, this is something I know I will continue doing with all my gals for many years to come. A notebook and pen play a huge role in my life. I am majoring in journalism so a notebook and pen is practically glued to me at all times. There is nothing I love more than free writing and it clears my head better than anything else. The 'Friends' series is probably one of my favorite things on earth. If you can't find me at work, school or writing then I promise you I am sitting in my apartment watching Friends. It has been my favorite show for years! A dog leash and key are the keys to my heart. My favorite buddy in the world is a 9 months old golden retriever who has a bowtie leash. He holds the key to my heart, but he also likes to hold my actual keys when I take him outside. Makeup, a mirror and money portray my arch enemies in this life. 

Design can play a role in each of these things that are part of my every day life. When it comes to making a mixed drink or a cup of coffee, the design can sell a consumer. A notebook & pen, makeup, a DVD and a dog leash are a lot like a mixed drink…the design has to look good for me to invest my well designed and earned money on. When it comes mirrors, I have to look good in the reflection to like an actual mirror itself. Design plays less of a role in a mirror, but you yourself play the role of making the mirror appear differently. 

An airplane ticket, my Volkswagen Beetle, the city of Chicago and the city of Naples are four things I am incredibly thankful for because they have created the best memories for me. My parents have given my brothers and I opportunities to travel all over and make ourselves more well-rounded. Chicago and Naples are my favorite places I have traveled. I have been to Chicago over 50 times and each time I fall more in love with it. Chicago is the place I plan on calling home after graduation (1 more year...yay!). Design is EVERYTHING in Chicago. Whether you’re walking down Michigan Avenue looking into the retail store windows or looking at the skyline, design shapes Chicago through and through. It is mind-blowing that each and every building, house, park or road is so thought out and is clearly a successful design because millions of people enjoy these things every day. Design in Naples is very different than Chicago. You see the most design in Naples when you take a look at the multimillion dollar houses or yachts. Naples is architectural design at its finest! An airplane ticket and a Volkswagen Beetle are my ways of travel. I purchased my car based off its design. Being the girly girl that I am, a Beetle seemed most fitting! An airplane ticket is designed to be easily read by travelers, but complex enough to get you onto an airplane. When I was young, I would collect my moms old airline tickets and it’s so interesting to see how the design of an airplane ticket has changed over the years. Now, they have dummied down the information on the ticket, but it makes for a cleaner design. 

A seashell and a magnolia tree are two things that not only bring back memories, but symbolize the life I would like to have when I am older. A seashell is not exactly a manmade artifact, but it is replicated everywhere in the Naples area like it is the areas most prized possession. Besides the incredible smell, a magnolia is my favorite because of the way it grows. It is such a beautiful looking tree and gives off an elegant vibe. Magnolia trees are manipulated designs.

These 20 artifacts don't just describe myself now, but describe the future I want for myself. All of these things link together to create my dream life! Not only have I noticed design more, but I have learned to cherish design after taking this design course. All of these artifacts have impacted my life in one way or another and design is one of the main reasons why. Design never ceases to amaze me!!!

Image Sources: 
Chicago - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago
Cosmo - http://www.divinecaroline.com/lifestyle/food-drink/how-make-cosmopolitan
Shopping bags - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-levy-lesser/confession-im-a-shopping-bag-addict_b_4935334.html
Airplane ticket - http://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/35117/what-should-i-do-after-buying-an-airline-ticket
Friends series - http://www.customdvd.org/forum/showthread.php/2022-Friends-1994-Season-1-10-Complete-DVD-Set
Magnolia tree - http://dreamatico.com/magnolia.html
Naples - http://www.pelicanbaypro.com/naples-florida-beaches.html
Mirror - http://nauticalcottageblog.com/tag/mirrors/
*Other images were taken off my iPhone 6*

Designers 9 & 10

Adriane Grumbein

Adriane works in the ISC program and teaches creative advertising and graphic design. She did her undergraduate at the University of Texas where she was an art major, but later changed to ISC with a minor in design. She initially decided to switch majors because she was doing 40 hour artwork that was taking great artists only 2 hours to do. She has been at UK for a couple years now and really enjoys teaching!

I actually met Adriane last semester while I was in a journalism class. She was teaching a creative advertising class and I got to see the work that these kids were doing. It was a lot poster looking designs. After Adriane shared with our class some of her works on her portfolio, it was obvious to me that the class I saw her teach last semester was right up her alley. 

Although her main job is teaching, she still tries to find some free lance work. She believes that free lance work keeps her mind sharp when it comes to what's new in design.

"To me, design is problem solving," said Grumbein. Art and design are two very different things. Art evokes a feeling. Design is problem solving. 

Lately, Adriane has been focusing on working with IPR to create new flyers for the company. 

Adriane believes that big data, infographics and personalization is what is to come in the design world. She closed her speech by saying that social media has changed design for her in some ways. Social media has made the work she does sharable.

Mitzi Vernon

Mitzi is the Dean for the College of Design. She sat down with us and shared her story, immediately beginning with her schooling. She majored in housing and interiors at North Carolina. She claimed this was her favorite degree when it came to diversity. Mitzi could not stop raving about her great experience here where she learned about landscape architecture, photographers, housing issues and more. 

Next, Mitzi went for her masters at Virginia Tech. She called this her biggest intellectual leap and Virginia Tech instilled in her the importance of an open studio. She said you need open space to see what everyone is doing so you can learn from one another and get that exposure. 

When she was 23 years old, Mitzi decided to be part of an interiors program at at Arizona State. After this she took a leave of absence where she moved to Los Angeles to do projects and teach part time at USC.

Stanford came calling while she was teaching part time at USC so Mitzi traveled there to focus on product design and engineering. After 3 years, she decided to go back to Virginia Tech to be part of the industrial design program. Mitzi stayed there for 20 years! 

Her latest (and greatest) move was to UK after she got the call to be the Dean of the College of Design. 

Looking back on all these moves Mitzi said, "I can't imagine unstitching my life." You can really tell she has enjoyed her life thus far to the fullest. 

When asked about the latest issues and new design concepts were she focused on concept of "design thinking". 

She ended her speech by sharing a motto of hers that I will never forgot. "Live well, buy only good stuff, recycle the rest." LOVE THIS!

Designers 7 & 8

Melody Jackson

Melody started off her presentation with an image of an RV. She explained that this had a lot of meaning to her because it has reflected what her career has been like. She then told all of us that she attended the University of Kentucky. Melody was actually pre-med before finding her love for design. After being inspired by Leonardo DaVinci, she immediately switched out of pre-med and began focusing more on design. She went to grad school at Cornell and her love for designed blossomed even more. She took a liking to Scottish castles. She was given a grant to travel and study the design of these castles. She documented 48 different tiles in her notebook and attached a quote with each one of them. 

After showing us her grad school work, she immediately began talking about her 2 children. You can tell they are her everything and she claims a lot of her work is inspired by then. It was obvious that she's a cool mom after showing the class the amazing pieces of art she creates for them. She designs everything from birthday cakes, birth announcement cards, Christmas cards, sports event photos and even makes them a mixtape each birthday!

Melody shared some of her amazing work that she completed for the 2010 World Equestrian Games. She also shared pics of her barrel paintings and residential work she completed like a 9 car garage.

When asked what her favorite project was she said it was hard to choose, but it would have to be designing her own house. She explained that her friends call it a beach house, but in her mind she has created a perfect barn out in the country. 

She is currently working on the Bluegrass Stockyard that just recently burned down. Her blueprints of what's to come in that area look gorgeous! 

In her very limited spare time, Melody teaches first year design at UK. She loves the students to share crazy drawings they have done and they create cardboard projects. 

When asked where the future of design is headed, Melody immediately said that virtual reality glasses are the next big thing. 

“Whether its outer space or Lexington, Kentucky...find that creativity, have fun with life, be inspired and do good work,” said Jackson. “I love design on all scales.”

Lindsey Fay

Lindsey teaches in the School of Interior. She too attended the University of Kentucky, but did not start in design. However, she did love design from a young age. When she was little, she was selected to help design a new playground for her school. She made it in the newspaper!

She explained to the class that design is everywhere and that every building we look at is touched by a designer. At UK, she uses this knowledge to do post-evaluation forms on our new hospital. These forms force her to gather information on how consumers are liking the layout of the new building and see if the space is meeting the needs of the students and staff. The reasons she is given this job is so that the designer of the hospital can repeat their successes, not failures. 

In California, Lindsey focused her work on co-housing communities. These communities share space for dinner and social events, but have separate living areas. These make for a very tight-knit community. She also did some residential work in Alpine Meadows, CA. Lindsey remodeled houses and spec homes. 

At UK, Lindsey teaches and believes in hands on work. She takes students every other year to Thailand for a little over 3 weeks to explore the lands. She is also a UK representative for Habitat For Humanity. 

When asked where the future of design is headed, Lindsey stressed that, “We can use to design to impact peoples lives and make a change.”

Designers 5 & 6

Ryan Hargrove

Mr. Hargrove is a landscape architect professor at the University of Kentucky and has been teaching here for 7 years. His mother was an art teacher and inspired his architectural lifestyle. One of his favorite things about teaching is helping others reach their full potential. Before he taught, he spent sone time in North Carolina working directly in the field of landscape architecture. He spoke about a project he had done in Shawnee (West Louisville). His task was to find a way to take such an underprivileged area and get the community involved to make the area better. Ryan decided that a market area was the best idea for the community so he has been focused on building that! When asked what he thinks the next thing in design is going to be he immediately said that he thinks our generation is going to be asked questions and we will have to figure those answers out by using unique solutions. "We need to create people who are able to take creative action," said Hargrove. 

Sarah Daley

Sarah was a architecture student at the University of Kentucky and graduate last May. She just moved to Louisville from Chicago, where she worked in a museum. Her job was to decide what pieces of history got displayed in the museum and where they went. She loved this job and is hoping to make a career out of this one day! Sarah currently works with a nonprofit group as an interpretive designer, where she collects information about parks. She sees how many animals and plants are around the park, complies them together and decides how to present them. When asked what the future of design holds, Sarah believes technology and design will work together to create amazing things!

Designers 3 & 4

Scarlet Wesley

Scarlet has been teaching at UK for 10 years. She teaches Merchandising Apparel and Textiles, which is when you take product from start to finish and see how it sells. She also teaches Brand Management and Color Theory, which is how colors mean different things. When she isn't teaching she is focuses on advising or studying abroad. In fact,  Scarlet just came back from a spring break trip to Paris with students. She has been leading the study abroad in merchandising for 4 years. I actually gave our professor my contact information to forward to Scarlet because I am extremely interested in joining her on her trip to Paris next spring! 

As Scarlet shared her stories with us, she explained that it has been quite the journey getting where she is today. When she married her husband, they moved to Connecticut and she took a job with Lego. After working there for awhile and learning so much about one of the leading toy companies, they moved to South Carolina where she took a teaching job. This is when Scarlet began to travel overseas to get a feel for the fashion industry. After awhile all Scarlet wanted to do was be closer to her family in Tennessee so she took a job with UK. 

She spoke in detail about her trips with students to Paris. The Paris trips give students the opportunity to meet designers, see couture made fabric (one of a kind handmade fabric), visit Gucci small goods leather factory and watch how handmade Gucci shoes are made. They also visit Florence, the leather capital of the world. 

Scarlet was also thrilled to talk to us about fabric designing software. She uses this software while teaching. The software gives students the opportunity to create goods and sell them in the UK Bookstore and around the city of Lexington. All the money that UK receives from selling these goods goes to students who need funding to study abroad. 

She closed her speech by talking to us about the Buy It Now concept. This is when designers launch new lines and immediately let consumer purchase these items. Usually, big designers will launch their lines 6 months in advance before it can be purchased in stores. Lately, consumers have been itching to get their hands on merchandise immediately. When retailers provide this buy it now concept, sales skyrocket! 

“Everyone can have a great idea as far as design goes. This changed the way I looked at the world, " said Scarlet.

Ebrahim Poustinchi

Ebrahim went to the University of Iran and did his post grad at UCLA focusing on robotic architecture and design. After UCLA, Ibrahim traveled to Washington State University then headed to UK. It was here that he focused mainly on design that is driven by computing. 

He shared his website link and showed us several pieces of his work. He first showed us posters and advertisements he did in Iran, which got him nominated for awards. He then showed us projects like Amethyst Cluster, Robobble, a project done with Washington State University and 4D Graphics, a branding/advertising project.

In the last section of his speech, Ebrahim had us guess which projects were products of UCLA students, Washington State University students or UK students. He was so proud that both UCLA and UK post-grad students had incredible works, even if they had such different backgrounds and less years of experience. 

Ultimately, Ebrahim is shocked every day that his students he reaches who have no software background create such amazing work with beautiful colors and brilliant ideas!